To buy or not to buy?

songhunter · Nov 24, 2003

I have about 8 1/2 acres to maintain in north Georgia. I currently use a Bolens G152 (15hp deisel), mostly for mowing. My tractor does not have a live PTO, and it makes it pretty unhandy at times with a rear mower. I've gotten accustomed to it since I've had it, but I was thinking of buying a hydrostatic with live PTO. I've found a '99 Kubota B7300 with hydro, about 500 hours, for $5500. I've also found a new NH TC18 with hydro for $7,900. Here's my questions (1) does the lack of live PTO cause excessive wear to the tractor when used for mowing? (2) do the prices I've found seem reasonable? (3) would I be better off to keep what I have, live with the unhandiness, and bank the money? By the way, the Bolens runs great.

MossRoad · Nov 24, 2003

If the current tractor does the job to your satisfaction, keep using it. If you are aggravated by it and wish to replace it and have the means to do so, replace it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

thcri · Nov 24, 2003

Songhunter,

In reply to your questions.

1. No I don't think hydro versus non hydro has anything to do with the longevity of your tractor. If you run them right, both will live a long time.

2. Prices change so much from area to area so it makes it tough for anyone to say your really getting a good deal or not. But for this area they seem to be in line.

3. Only you can make that decision. It is your pocketbook and your life style. It may be a burden, but is it a $7,000 burden. It may be to me but not to others. Is is worth $7,000 grand to have something nice?? Do we go out and buy a new car just to have something nicer?? Some do and some don't.

However, if you do decide to replace I would seriously look at something bigger than another 18 hp tractor. With 8.5 acrea I would look at bigger. You can stay with a cat 1 but I would be looking for the largest HP in a cat 1. Just my opinion and that is all.

murph

Slamfire · Nov 24, 2003

That Kubota price sounds pretty good to me.

PineRidge · Nov 24, 2003

If the current tractor does the job to your satisfaction, keep using it. If you are aggravated by it and wish to replace it and have the means to do so, replace it. 

I second that that motion! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

riptides · Nov 24, 2003

( If the current tractor does the job to your satisfaction, keep using it. If you are aggravated by it and wish to replace it and have the means to do so, replace it.
) Yes!

And do you have other projects that you have thought about? But have not the proper equipment? Think about that too.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

songhunter · Nov 26, 2003

Thanks for all the great feedback, guys, but..... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
you didn't say what I wanted you to say. I didn't expect everybody to be so logical about their advice. I figured everybody would say "yea, get a new tractor, you need a new tractor", then I could tell my wife that all the guys on TBN said I needed a new tractor. Now I'll have to come up with another plan. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

rockyridgefarm · Nov 26, 2003

Actually, you need TWO new tractors. When your wife sees the new ones, she will want her own. And she will want you to KEEP OFF it (except for switching attachments for her) and will see the logic in one for you, too. She will want a backhoe, cause it just isn't any fun without it. (don't even ASK how I know all this....) Be sure she tries all the nicest ones, she will surprise you when she says that Brand x won't do, they're too cheap, and the controls are in goofy places, but this other is PERFECT...

She wants a front loader, too.

MossRoad · Nov 26, 2003

You need a new tractor! (there, hope that helps) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I got mine for several reasons. Maybe you can apply them to your dilemma.

Main reason... I was spending 3 hours a week mowing. New tractor cut it down to about 50 minutes. More time for the family.
#2 reason... we will be moving to a larger property, needed larger tractor for driveway(lawn will actually be smaller than current home) and brush hogging about 2 miles of trails.
#3 reason... bad back. I needed a motorized wheelbarrow. FEL fits the bill perfectly.
#4 reason... I wanted it and could afford it, so we got it. I could have gotten by with what we had, but I wanted something nicer, stronger, faster, more capable, etc... than the wheelbarrow, shovel, riding mower, snow shovel.

Hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

28RedHorses · Nov 26, 2003

( I could tell my wife that all the guys on TBN said I needed a new tractor. )

Wives don't understand tractors or fire trucks.

28Red
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif